Tree roots in roads

[benedmonds]

I have a client, with some root issues. It is a private estate and they care about the trees. But is is open access and trip hazards obviously a major concern.

They are planning on resurfacing the roads.   The trees are very important, TPO'd and have to be retained.

I have told them not to cut any roots over 25mm without arb advice, but they have a road planer going in and I am pretty sure they will just want to make if all level.

Any one any experience/solutions? Is there flexible tarmac that is suitable for road surfaces?  

My solution would be to lift the road levels, possibly creating a speed bump like road structure. Bit even that is likely to be a temporary fix. 

 

Are there any good solutions for the footpaths as they spend £1000's each year trying in vain to keep them in order.

[Toad]

I've put tigermulch down on footways with tree root damage. It's all temporary tbh.

It looks pretty terrible from the photos. You'll need to raise a significant length of footway or carriageway to clear them, and then it might make the road non-compliant with standards, although this might not be so bad if it is private.

[Khriss]

Better than most roads round here. K

[eggsarascal]

I'd think the planer will got right through that, what is the spec for the job, how much are they going to plane out?

[Arboraeration]

I have only just seen this thread so it may already be too late. What about root pruning the roots that will be planed back and installing a membrane of CuTex root barrier horizontally below the tarmac. According to the company its copper layer within the material inhibits root growth. 

 

Im not sure what other options you have really 

Edited September 15, 2021 by Arboraeration
Spelling

[Chris at eden]

If it’s a private road and so not adopted they could possibly use Rootbridge to create your speed bump and that may be a permanent fix for that area. Expensive though so you wouldn’t want to be doing it in multiple locations. 
 

The road planer sounds like a bad idea. As in, a criminal offence with an unlimited fine potentially if the tree dies as a result. 


 

 

[tree77]

Hi

Might be worth excavating to area of root damage, the root might not be deeper than you think, if your lucky.

 

If not repofile the carriageway over the area, might have the watch the levels to avoid puddles etc.

 

 

Kbi flexi pave works well for footpaths

 

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by tree77